Richard Cottingham Research Paper

“Richard Cottingham is a serial rapist and killer that used the streets of New York and New Jersey as his hunting ground in the 1970s. Known for being particularly cruel, Cottingham earned the nickname "The Torso Killer" because he would sometimes mutilate the body of his victims, leaving just their torso intact. Born in Bronx, New York on November 25, 1946, Cottingham grew up in a normal middle-class home. When he was 12, his parents moved the family to River Vale, New Jersey (Montaldo, C., March 04, 2017).” He seemed to be the run of the mill kid. His killing spree which lasted two years, was years after his first killing. “In 1967, Cottingham, 21, strangled Nancy Vogel, 29, to death, something he confessed to doing 43 years later (Montaldo,

His victims included “Maryann Carr, 26, March 22, 1978 - New York City - Kidnapped, drugged and raped Karen Schilt, age 31, October 13, 1978 - Hackensack, New Jersey - Drugged, tortured and raped prostitute Susan Geiger who was pregnant, December 2, 1979 - New York City - Tortured and murdered Deedeh Goodarzi, 23, and “Jane Doe,” an unidentified woman in her 20s, Cottingham mutilated their bodies, removed their hands and heads, then set fire to the hotel room, May 4, 1980 - Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey - Valerie Ann Street, 19, was found at the Quality Inn Motel, May 12, 1980 - Teaneck, New Jersey - Drugged, beaten, and with several bite marks on her body, Pamela Weisenfeld was found in a parking lot, May 15, 1980 - New York City - Jean Reyner, 25, May 22, 1980 - Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey - Feeling invincible, Cottingham returned to the Quality Inn Motel with Leslie O’Dell, 18 (Montaldo, C., March 04,

There may be many more victims than anyone knows is tied to him. “Nadia Fezzani, a journalist from Quebec who specialized in the research of serial killers, had the unique opportunity to interview Cottingham. During the interview Cottingham admitted to Fezzani that there were as many as 90 to 100 more victims (Montaldo, C., March 04, 2017).” He’s in prison till this day at 71 years old, and most likely will die there. His statement shows just how sick in the mind he really is when he said, “I wanted to be the best at whatever I did and I wanted to be the best serial killer (Montaldo, C., March 04, 2017).” He also said “Obviously I must be sick somehow. Normal people don't do what I did (Montaldo, C., March 04, 2017).” I think this is the best